Los Angeles is packed with beautiful places to walk, but for many of us, our favorite trails are those closest to home. These are the walks we take again and again, when we need to shake off the blues, gain a new perspective, or simply enjoy our city's famous sunshine. So it's no surprise that when we asked readers to share their favorite walks, many of you responded with a trail in your neighborhood.
Los Angeles is truly a walking city.
Explore our primer on the people and places keeping our sidewalks alive.
As someone who recently relied on suggestions from friends around the city to help me choose (and plan) the 11 most essential walks in Los Angeles, I can say that there's nothing better than exploring an area through the eyes of a local . Their knowledge and experience add a deeper dimension to the walk. Every time a friend showed me around, I came away with a new appreciation for the part of the city they call home.
Therefore, it is with great gratitude and pleasure that I present some of the walks submitted by our readers, who generously shared their own experience of where to walk and what to see. Nobody knows a city better than those of us who live here.
Reader Rick Jashnani submitted this image of his hike along Ballona Creek.
(Rick Jashnani)
Along the Ballona Lagoon nature trail, back to the beach and to the marina to close the circuit.
From location: Start in 4001 Via DulceMarina del Rey
Distance: 2.5 miles
Duration of time: 60 minutes
What makes it special: ”The nature walk is really pretty and borders a wildlife sanctuary where you can see egrets and other migratory birds. There are also always small lizards along the way. As you turn the corner towards the ocean, you'll be able to see larger seabirds and, if you're lucky, you'll be able to see dolphins. The marina is always nice to check out the calm of the water and all the boats. Plus, if your dog is well-behaved, you can usually take him off the leash and no one will bother you.”
– Rick Jashnani, Venice
Reader Ducan Addicott sent in this photo from his hike to Mount Lowe.
(Ducan Addict)
Mount Lowe Trail/San Merrill Trail to Mount Lowe Hotel Ruins
Starting llocation: The corner of Loma Alta Drive and Lake Avenue. Reaches up to (34.21097° N, 118.12077° W)
Distance: 5 miles
Time duration: At a fast pace, about an hour and 45 minutes. At a medium pace, about three hours.
What makes it special: “Since my family lives near the trail, we occasionally hike the trail to the top of Echo Mountain (where the remains of the Mount Lowe Hotel are located) to see the view of Los Angeles.”
—Duncan Addicott, Altadena
Reader Thomas Nagano sent in this photo of his walk around Hill Top.
(Tomás Nagano)
hill top view
Starting llocation: North Thomas Avenue in Lincoln Heights
Distance: 3 steep miles round trip.
Duration of time: 45 minutes
What makes it special: “The 360-degree view from 'Flat Top'.”
—Thomas Nagano, Los Angeles
Hikers cross the Mark Ridley-Thomas Bridge, which spans La Cienega Boulevard and links Kenneth Hahn Park to Stoneview Nature Center.
(Allison Zaucha/for The Times)
From Culver City Park to Baldwin Hills Park to Kenneth Hahn Park
Starting location: “From Culver City Park, start at the parking lot near the Boneyard and take the wooden ramps up the hill. Walk through Bill Botts Field to the connector to Baldwin Hills Park. Walk to the top of the hill, enjoy the views, and then find the parking lot. At the back of the lot is a trail that connects down the hill to Stoneview Nature Center. Take a walk around the nature center, pick some fruit or rest on a bench, then take the trail out of the nature center and walk over La Cienega toward Kenneth Hahn Park. If you walk to get fit, you can do it in a couple of hours. You can spend more time in any of the parks while walking.”
Distance: Approximately 3 miles
Time duration: two hours
What makes it special: “It's cool to see all these parks connected to each other and to find such a long hiking trail in Los Angeles that doesn't really go through any roads. You can lengthen your walk by spending more time in these parks or walking longer routes through the parks, or you can simply go for a walk and consider the park markers as you go from Culver City to Kenneth Hahn.”
— Lisa Collins, Culver City
Greer Cowan sent in this photo of her walk through Griffith Park.
(Greer Cowan)
Riverside trail in Griffith Park
Starting location: 2715 N. Vermont Canyon Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Distance: 2 miles
Time duration: 30 minutes
What makes it special?: “I grew up in rural Vermont and it's hard to describe to friends and family why I chose to live in Los Angeles. This is a place I take people who visit me in Los Angeles from the east coast to show what I love about this place. . The walk has a beautiful view of downtown, but is quiet and away from cars and sidewalks. “When I take people from Vermont on this walk, they begin to understand what I love about Los Angeles.”
—Greer Cowan, Los Angeles
A child plays in the fountains at Gloria Molina Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels to Gloria Molina Grand Park to Los Angeles City Hall
Starting location: 555 W. Temple St.
Distance: .5 miles
Time duration: 15 minutes
What makes it special: “As I make my way through the morning work shift, I park in the underground parking lot next to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. I cross Temple Street past the court buildings built in the late 1960s and early 1970s and walk toward Grand Park. I start my hike at 7:15 am and finish around 7:35 am; It's not a long walk up concrete stairs, but it helps me see nature and relieve any anxiety I have before starting work during my monthly three days. work days in downtown Los Angeles. As I approach Los Angeles City Hall, there are police officers moving people camping overnight in the park so that city hall workers, mostly women, can reach a safe environment before entering through the entrance. entrance of city hall employees.”
—Thomas Foster
Reader Larry Blivas sent in this photo of his walk from the Venice Pier and the Santa Monica Pier.
(Larry Blivas)
From Venice Pier to Santa Monica Pier along the beach
Starting location: Washington Boulevard and waterfront promenade
Distance: 2 miles
Time duration: 1-2 hours depending on your pace
What makes it special: “If you walk along the beach by the water, this is the most memorable walk in Los Angeles, with the most beautiful beaches filled with birds, sea lions, surfers, dolphins, occasionally some whales and the most beautiful waves! You can walk it barefoot or like many people do, wear light sneakers. [You can go with] your dog or with a friend or alone. It's really amazing. If you walk along the walking bike path it has the Venice Art Walk, lots of bikes and ends at the Santa Monica Pier. [where you can] enjoy the holidays. The other option is to start at the Santa Monica Pier and walk to the Venice Pier and back for a beautiful walk, exercise, and the best day of your life!
—Larry Blivas, Los Angeles
Self Help Graphics 50th Annual Day of the Dead event at the East Los Angeles Civic Center.
(Sarahi Apaez/Para De Los)
Highland Park Metro Station to East Los Angeles Civic Center
Starting location: Ave. 59 to Figueroa St. through downtown Los Angeles and then east on E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. to the ELA Civic Center.
Distance: Approximately 12 miles
Time duration: 3-4 hours depending on whether there is a parade or march
What makes it special: “It reaches downtown Los Angeles, from its oldest community along Arroyo Seco to its oldest cultural centers and sprawling historic avenues, and crosses five freeways and the raging rivers of noisy metal below. I have been doing it for several years and it is never the same walk, like a search for meaning.”
— Richard Vasquez, Los Angeles
The labyrinthine canals of Marina del Rey
Starting location: Admiralty Road and Bali Road
Distance: 2 miles
Time duration: 30 minutes
What makes it special: “The sights and sounds don't get much more spectacular than a stroll through the labyrinthine canals of Marina del Rey. It has the Ballona lagoon, which offers pleasant views of the mudflats, ideal for wielding binoculars, where many seabirds can be observed sneaking up on unsuspecting fries. And push your troubles further away as you gaze out over the water at salty sneezing harbor seals, sun-kissed kayakers, and agile runaway skiffs cascading along the horizon with billowing sails.
I enjoy the outpatient miles I can accumulate in the Marina area. From morning excursions to evaluate artisanal turnips at the Famer's Market every Saturday morning near Mother's Beach to quiet afternoons strolling among the shelves at the Lloyd Taber-Marina del Rey Library. Custom sail windows face the sunset.
Ahoy, it's spectacular.”
—Tommy Bui, Pacoima
